Shelly Denning

February 2019

Besides Bob Ross and other painters demonstrating their skills on PBS, I am a mostly self-taught artist. I spent years shunning art as a career - probably more out of fear of failure than anything - spending my time working as a bartender, a karaoke host and a special effects makeup artist, to name a few. In 2016, after seven frustrating years in the film industry, I
finally turned back to my first love: art. With the
support of my family, I have been able to dedicate myself completely to building my business. I still dabble in special effects and beauty makeup from time to time, but I love nothing more than being in my studio with some music and a scented candle, drawing or painting my next commission. I hope to move away from commissioned work over the next few years and focus on creating more thought-
provoking series of work.

Check out a 13 minute video of her whole process to create the piece with instructions!

Sheila Darcey

January 2019

Sheila Darcey @ Sketch Poetic is a Venice based artist.
The purpose of her work is to elevate art as a tool for emotional expression, self reflection, and healing. She wants people to connect with the process as much as the outcome, to create without overthinking, to create without fear, to create without expectations, and to create because its fun. It’s about being in a safe place to quiet the mind and spark the child-like curiosity we sometimes lose in our busy lives.
Her abstract images are born from a daily practice of sketching and tapping into the unconscious mind. While each sketch varies in style and technique, all share a common thread of expressed emotion. Like a visual Rorschach, each image may be interpreted from a viewer's perspective. Part of its beauty is how it is seen and consumed by others.

Aliya Smith

December 2018

Aliya Smith is an Atlanta-based illustrator. She started drawing as soon as she was able to hold a pencil and hasn't stopped since. She studied fine art through high school and college, but quickly thereafter developed her pop-surrealist style. Aliya's interests outside of the arts have all found their way into her work; from botany and entomology to sexuality to the less discussed side effects of mental illness. Her work explores femininity in relation to these subjects as a way to soften and destigmatize them for femme folk, including herself. Some pieces represent problems while others, mirrored, are meant to portray treatments. And like any artist, occasionally Aliya's work is purely for aesthetic with no (intentional) message or symbolism.

Natasha Price

November 2018

I am Oakland based artist who grew up in various cities in California. My father draws in a Heavy Metal Magazine Style, and my mother is an architect who loves to paint scenes from her garden. As I got older anime and manga really interested me and
influenced me, they are detailed, imaginative, and technically amazing. My dad has a huge Heavy Metal Magazine collection and I would copy many cyberpunk-esque imagery from them. As I got older I became drawn to acrylics, watercolor, and digital art. For the past 5 years I have done Graphic Design and
Production Art for a living. I am studying user
experience design & user interface design for web and mobile. Art is like a dream, it is something and often isn’t. It represents layers of meaning to be
interpreted by each viewer. I used to make hyper
detailed abstract art that people would interpret
different unintended images within. I like that art can come so easily from the subconscious, an experience can influence your next piece/dream. When you create you put a piece of yourself out into the world, and those visual creations influence how we look back into reality.

Angie Jerez

October 2018

I'm from Bogotá, Colombia, I moved to Atlanta 6 years ago, and since then I've been transitioning from design to illustration and painting using mixed media. I fell in love with the amount of art exposure that the city has. I create drawings with detailed linework. I draw everyday objects and random abstract subjects surrounded by organic shapes. Sometimes there's no deep concept behind it, sometimes they reflect memories and random silly ideas.

Sanithna Phansavanh

September 2018

I am an artist working and living in Atlanta, Georgia, with a focus on examining the human condition. My work, ranging from small, intimate drawings to large-scale, public murals, has been exhibited
nationally and internationally, with notable showings at the High Museum of Art, on the Atlanta BeltLine, and with Living Walls. If this were a dating profile, you’d find out that I’m a Scorpio, that I like long walks on the beach, and that I really love watermelon (like, a lot). p.s. I’m actually a guy and my name is pronounced “suh-neat-nuh pon-suh-von.” :)

Erin Henry

August 2018

Erin Henry is a Contemporary artist based in Atlanta, where she began working in the arts at an early age. After leaving art school, her cutting edge paintings made a loud arrival into the art world since they began regularly showing at Marietta's dk Gallery. Her unique style and curious subject matter have captured the attention of art lovers and collectors across the globe. Erin currently works full-time as an artist and model in the US. You can find her work being currently exhibited in multiple galleries from Atlanta to New York.
Most of my inspiration to create comes from nature, the human figure, and a sense of ambiguity. By composing a narrative in an expressive and slightly surrealistic way, the goal of my art is to not only bring a unique beauty to seemingly insignificant things, but to give a physical exhibition of my daily observations on objects, behaviors, interactions, and other abstract moments.

Dareth Youd

July 2018

My name is Dareth Youd I'm from Grimshaw Alberta
Canada. I have always enjoyed being creative, wether
it be crafting, costume making, painting or even writing.
My favourite way of artistic expression is through colored
pencil and panpastel portraiture.
I would describe my work as realism with a
touch of fantasy and whimsy. I love drawing animals
and bringing out their true characters. I've now
moved on to creating portraits of people and hope to
continue my journey of improvement on this subject.

Hannah Spiegleman

June 2018

Hello! My name is Hannah. I’m an illustrator currently
based in Memphis, Tennessee.
I’m not very good at talking about myself, but I can give it
a go. My parents read to me a lot as a kid,
and my earliest source of art inspiration was Beatrix
Potter’s illustrations. I remember getting my first set of
pan watercolors and trying to copy her drawings from
my storybooks. My art is still heavily inspired by children’s
book illustrations, as well as a childhood spend in
the towns of Wetherby and Harrogate in England.
I work mainly in gouache and
I love to paint animals in silly and whimsical situations.
Someday soon, I hope to illustrate my own
children’s book—just as soon as I’ve actually finished
writing it.I love rabbits, sewing, Victor Hugo, the Victorian
era, and 1970s progressive rock.

Anna K Bjørdal

May 2018

I’m Anna K Bjørdal, a freelance artist and co-owner
of the charming, little illustration shop Myte
Illustrations in Bergen, Norway. I’m a dog mother, a proud
Ravenclaw and a huge nerd about everything that has
to do with space, dinosaurs and folklore. I try to
experiment with different mediums, but my go-to is
watercolour and ink. I’ve recently started
a YouTube channel where I do speed paints, art
supply reviews and tips and tricks for artists.
My platforms are:
Instagram: AKB_Illustrations
Storenvy: AKB Illustrations

La'Roy Bodiford

April 2018

At 3 years old, my older brother put a pencil in my hand.
He didn't let me put that pencil down
until I was able to draw a straight line. My love of art
began with that moment. At 4 years old my
artwork was featured on a local television show
featuring local artists. As time went on, I continued to
nurture my craft. I drew pictures and portraits for
friends and family. I designed programs
for school functions and shirts for clubs, groups,
and other school organizations. I served 4 years in
the Marine Corps.
After the Marines, I spent several years focusing on my
career as a Jazz saxophonist.
During this time, I unfortunately didn't draw for about
10 years. I eventually came across a drawing by
Linda Huber and became inspired by her and interested in
hyperrealism. I now work on commission doing
hyper-realistic portraits. I have sent several of my
commissioned pieces all over the U.S. and
internationally. I enjoy several different
mediums, but my focus is graphite and charcoal.

Malisa

March 2018

My name is Malisa Suchanya and I am a San Francisco
based Illustrator and art educator.
I was born and raised in Singapore and have been
creating art since I was 12.
My work focuses on trying to be a reflection of the world,
capturing moments that are often times overlooked.
Tying in personal experiences, reflections of my
environment and adding a touch of whimsy, my works
tend to balance on the tightrope of what is real and what
is imagined. I have a strong attraction to any kind of
organic subjects, from flora and fauna, to animals and the
human body. I love using art as a platform in
which to have different elements interacting together,
creating dialogues of love and death, man and
nature, peace and conflict. This obsession with beauty
and organic subjects has stemmed from my first
introduction to Art nouveau and falling madly in love
with that aesthetic. I have since tried to find my
own voice as an artist while continually finding
inspirations from masters and peers alike.

Using mainly watercolors, gouache and graphite as my
mediums, I remain a lover for traditional art in a
technological age.

Grey Grimm

February 2018

Based in Boulder, Colorado, I’ve been an avid art enthusiast
since I could hold a pencil. My first major breakthrough
came with acrylic paints when I was 18, looking for
inspiration in the familiar world of classic film.
Following that body of work, I enrolled in school and
began studying Evolutionary Biology; which, over time,
began translating into my art practice. While I eventually
changed majors and graduated with a dual major in Art
History and Studio Art from the University of Colorado
at Boulder, the environmental and biological exposure
of my past studies continued to influence my work.
For this project, with the very blendable, softer materials
provided, it seemed fitting to work with the natural world
once more. Each plant is a representation of seedlings
which are meant to grow (some with the help of
greenhouses) in the northern hemisphere during the
month of January. An ode to my past studies, as well as a
reminder to protect our planet and be mindful of what is in
season naturallyrevisiting the ways of the past in
order to preserve our future. At 27, I have enjoyed many
different mediums, and currently work as a freelance
illustrator and photographer, as well as on commission
for sign-making and oil paintings.

Alex Dakos

January 2018

I was born in San Jose California May 10th, 1977 and
raised a little outside of Los Angeles in a town called
Whittier. I am a self taught artist who started drawing
in the carpet at age 3, by age 5 was able to draw many
Disney characters and detailed animals. By age 15 got
involved in graffiti art, which has had some effect in
my style today.
Mediums I like to use range from ink illustration, acrylic
paintings, graphite drawings, impressionist
oil paintings and wooden structure art. My genre of art
tends to be surrealism and fantasy, but I like
to also create experimental
works of art. I generally try to incorporate human
interaction with animals and insects with a deeper
concept behind the piece. Most of my work has come
to me through visions that I write down. I currently have
over 100 more visions to share with the world.
Rich or poor, I know I'll be doing
art until the day I die.

Nat Suarez

December 2017

Hello there! My name is Nat Suarez and I have a love for
bold colors, patterns and people. In my work,
I enjoy the playfulness of watercolors, and often mix
them with marker, ink, and digital media.
I love learning and trying out new materials and
techniques. I am originally from the colorful and
tropical country of El Salvador, and currently
live in Richmond, VA with my husband.

Nicole Aline Legault

November 2017

I spent my childhood by the Atlantic Ocean, and was raised by the
knowledgeable instruction of my father, a marine biologist, and my
mother, a teacher – both with strong environmental consciences.
Their interests fostered in me a sense of wonder and humble
appreciation of our oceans. I was led to draw whales well over a
decade ago, having had dreams of them without ever having seen
one. Their vastness is not unlike that of the ocean itself. I have always
felt they inform my work more so than are the subject of my work -
as they are instinctively incorporated into so much of what I create.
If everyone considered the ocean this way - as an informant to
our lives, rather than the subject of our exploits - we would
appreciate and respect her and ourselves so much more.

Nicole Aline Legault graduated from NSCAD University in 2006.
Based in Montreal since 2007,
Nicole has worked as a freelance illustrator and artist in print,
film, and music.

Nedko Chulev

October 2017

Greetings! The name's Nedko Chulev or Ned. The origin -
the northern planes of Bulgaria although I am currently located
in the capital of Bavaria - Munich.
I always remind myself that through the mindless rush of our daily
routines we tend to forget the little things in life that make our
already limited time on Earth that much more enjoyable. Such is the
philosophy of the images that flow out of my pens - escaping reality
and creating an imaginary world full of little details that
will take the beholder on a journey. My inspiration
stems from video games and cartoons whose purpose to me is just
that - a way to sneak out of the physical world and discover countless
imaginary worlds. My favorite medium next to digital is black ink
with its vivid contrast on the plain white
paper and the gracious dance of the pen nib. My initial approach to art -
trying to realistically depict what I see in front of me, made
drawing feel like a chore.
Then I realized that I needed to stop trying to recreate and start to
create. And that's what I do now - instead of looking for creative
sparks around me, I harness the power of my intrinsic artistic flame.
My hope is to one day make people feel immersed in an imaginary
world with a wide smile on their face for hours on end.
I am to be found on a multitude of channels, but my favorite ones are:
Instagram: @ned.doodle
Facebook: facebook.com/NedkoChulev

Valerie Cossette

September 2017

Bonjour! Je m’appelle Valérie. I’m an illustrator and an art teacher
based in Montreal, Quebec and I’ve been drawing since I was a kid.
In my youth, American Cartoons were my first source of inspiration.
Afterwards, I became interested in Manga, which then became a
passion and inspired me to create my own characters and stories.
In my teens, drawing was the reason I would wake
up, as each new day was a new opportunity to draw.
I took many art classes to improve my sketches, but around age 20,
I encountered many challenges in my personal life, which made
me focus on bettering myself. At the age of 24, art became
something more to me: it became a form of therapy.
Later, I took a course in order to teach creative journal
classes. As such, my work became more intuitive and fluid, as well
as becoming a spiritual way to express myself. Today, at
31 years old, I’m confident in my skills and I can make a living out of
my passion. For the past year, I’ve been doing contract-work
and art teaching. It’s a pleasure to share my passion!
My next goal is to create my own art collection. The subjects I like to
explore the most are people, spirituality and nature.
Finally, I love to draw with all kinds of supplies, but my
speciality is working with markers and coloured pencils.

Adolfo Hernandez

August 2017

Hola! My name is Adolfo Hernandez born in San Pedro Sula, Honduras
and now currently living in Oakland, California. I have always loved to
draw since I was a kid. I am a self-taught artist learning from comics,
art books, and favorite artist and trying different types of media. But
my favorite media to use are markers with color pencils and charcoal.
I am always trying to learn and improve my artwork everyday.
Currently I am in art school at Cal State East Bay. But you can find me
at Delta Art and Tattoo in Pittsburg, California where
I am in my second year of apprenticing and now taking new
clients to design my own artwork and putting it on skin. I love where
my art career is taking me and hope to continue my adventures!!!

Carlijn Sturm

July 2017

'Your child isn't creative enough.' That's what my primary
school teacher told my parents when I was
about 11 years old. If only she could look inside my head and
see all the ideas I had buzzing around, but being unable to transfer
them to paper. This frustated me and resulted in me disliking anything
that had to do with art or being creative.
It wasn't untill I followed (obligatory) art classes in highschool
that I realised I wasn't quite as incapable as I thought.
During those lessons I gained more confidence and at the end
continued drawing even after I passed the last assignment
with a 10 out of 10 score.
Soon I started sharing my work on instagram and was amazed
by all the positive reactions on my work. Seeing incredible artists
on instagram inspired me to invest more time in art and try all kind
of styles. Three years later and here I am, a 19-year old
Dutch girl studying medicine while also keeping up with drawing in
her spare time. I have progressed more than I ever could have
imagined and I still learn new things whenever I draw, paint or
sculpture. In my opinion practice, patience and positive feedback are
key elements to reach whatever you want.
Check out my work on instagram: @carlijnartgallery

Frances

June 2017

Hi! My name is Frances and I’m a self-taught artist living in Toronto.
My love of art started as kid. I was always mesmerized by
cartoons/anime and I would obsessively
draw my favourite characters! Today, I find inspiration by observing
people and the beauty of nature. You’ll usually find me
drawing people at coffee shops
or practicing my watercolours in my sketchbook. I’m always
trying to improve my art and it’s easy to succumb to self-doubt.
But, what keeps me motivated is the emotional connection I feel to
other artists through their work. I hope that people will feel
connected to the art I make!

Jill Tuttle

May 2017

Life can be busy and complicated. My artwork celebrates the intricate,
beautiful, and precious moments in life; when you slow down to enjoy
each moment. I am originally from Nova Scotia and now live in
Alberta, working as a High School Creative Arts teacher; my dream job.
My goal as an educator is to instill a passion in my students to live
creative lives. I model this lifestyle through my own artwork,
photography and Bollywood dance! I am best known for my detailed
drawings and paintings on wood panels. I use subject matter such
ornate Victorian furniture, combined with images pulled from
nature such as butterflies, birds, flowers and foliage. I usually combine
my slow and deliberate cross-hatching pen marks with the addition
of colorful watercolor or acrylic paint. I am so excited about the
direction my recent work has taken, and look forward everyday to
my next artistic endeavor!

Tania Nunez

April 2017

I'm an artist & textile surface designer based in NYC. Most of my
work is inspired by nature, animals & repetitive patterns,
my goal is to share and inspire others to have a connection with
animals and nature through the artwork I create.
I teach art workshops in NYC, I love trying out new mediums and
sketchbox gave me a perfect opportunity with
their Cretacolor leads!
You can find out more about my artwork at:
www.tanianunez.com
Some of the places her work has been featured at:
Idlewild Magazine, Astoria Art Festival, Queens Museum of Art,
San Colorea’s NYC Inbox 12 Postcard Project,
Brooklyn Collective Shop, Renegade Craft Fair Brooklyn,
Think Coffee, Minnesota Center for Book Arts,
Manhattan Graphics Center.

Victoria Wilson

March 2017

I was born in the countryside of Kentucky. My wife is in the military,
and we have been stationed all over the world with our two
amazing sons. Our travels, life experiences and tribulations have
influenced my artwork and shaped it to what it has become today.
My mother raised me as more of a contemporary/realist, which taught
me many effective skills that have been blended and tweaked to
become more of the surreal/fantasy style with the gothic twist
you see today. I prefer working with ink, watercolor,
markers and acrylic for my enduring works. I never leave home
without my sketchbook and always take the time to put my ideas on
paper when an idea strikes.

Joanne Barby

February 2017

I’m an artist who lives in a small town on the NSW South Coast of
Australia. I have always loved art, especially the process of making
art. As an artist I find inspiration, in that we get to “see” things that
may go unnoticed, if not explored so closely through an artwork.
My medium of choice is PanPastel, as it allows me to loosely
block in, thin layers of what I “see” in colour, with no detailed
drawing first. The ease of application and the ability to erase
any mistakes, takes any pressure off whilst using this medium.
I teach workshops all over Australia and the US in PanPastel and
love sharing creativity with other likeminded people.

Rose Ingracia

January 2017

Hello, my name is Rose, and I am a self taught artist from the
beautiful state of Nebraska. I have loved the
arts ever since I could hold a pencil. However, seeking inspiration from
other artists and being able to connect is really what pushed
me to take art more seriously. My favorite medium to work with is
watercolor, because the light pigment creates an elegant look that I
really love. I love to create my pieces with a meaning behind them,
so each one of my works gives a little insight into my life.
I am very happy to have started my very own small business and
I look forward to continued growth. As I continue developing my
skills as an artist, my one hope is to inspire others, just as they have
inspired me. As an artist my favorite quote is by Edgar Degas,
“Art is not what you see, but what you make others see.”

Hannah Hill

December 2016

Hannah dislikes writing about herself so here are a few facts …
She is a self-taught, natural artist.
She grew up drawing Brian Froud and Cicely Mary Barker faeries.
Her favorite art style is Art Nouveau.
She has never worked with oil paints.
Watercolors are her preferred medium.
Her favorite color combination to use is green, purple, and pink.
She has never completely filled an entire sketchbook.
Her work is in private collections all around the world.
She is mostly likely to draw a faerie or mermaid.
Typically she works in miniature art.
Her favorite place to draw is in bed.
She has a degree in Geology – not art.
Has recently been experimenting with new mediums - thanks
to Sketchbox!

Sarah Jayne Reed

November 2016

Hi! I’m an artist and art educator residing in Central Ohio.
I hold a Master of Art with a Minor in Art History,
though when it comes to much of my art, including colored pencil,
I’m self-taught. Growing up with
creative parents, I was drawing from the time I could hold a pencil.
These days, the juggling process of having a full time
career and attempting to pursue my art can be a struggle,
but I try to make time each day to create.
I am fascinated with color theory and am drawn to colored pencil
and oil paints because of their layering
capability, allowing colors to interact. I often choose subject matter
that is visually appealing or
meaningful to me. Family members, Boston Terriers,
mythical creatures, crystals, and nature elements are often
cornerstones in my artwork. I like my work to have a happy,
fond, or nostalgic tone.

Fatma Sahem

October 2016

My name is Fatma and I’m a graphic designer and an artist
from beautiful sunny Dubai. When I’m not doing my
job as a graphic designer, you will find me in a coffee shop
or corner somewhere sketching and drawing in my sketchbook.
I’ve always had a great love for art and drawing. I recently
started making youtube videos of my drawings and paintings, since
they are my favourite type of videos to watch. I also
have an online shop where I sell most of my artworks
please do check it out!

Caitlin Stevens

September 2016

Hello! I am an Illustrator/Artist located in the beautiful city of
San Francisco California. Originally from Cortland, New York,
I moved here to attend school at California College of the Arts, where I
gained experiences, lessons, and friends that have helped me to
fulfill my lifelong dream of becoming a professional artist.
I am currently showing work in the City Arts Gallery in San Francisco,
as well as working on illustrations for various companies. Creating and
making art has always been my biggest passion,
and I worked hard enough so I am able to do it as a living! Now,
I wake up every morning to a job that I love.
Don't give up!

Roger LaDouceur

August 2016

I was fortunate to have great art teachers growing up in MA.
They taught me a wide array of styles and forms of media.
It is because of their teachings that I was selected into the
Illustrator/Draftsman rate in the US Navy.
After completing my service I turned my artistic passion toward
tattooing. I served a three year apprenticeship and worked in several
studios up and down the east coast. In 2006 I opened Star City Tattoos
in Roanoke, VA. I paint in oil, acrylic, pastels, but enjoy colored pencil the
most. Using multiple forms of media has nurtured my need for artistic
growth. Every day that I am able to open my eyes is an opportunity
to push a little harder into the areas of art that I have yet to uncover.
I am thankful for the little box of joy that shows up on my doorstep
at the beginning of each month. I know that I will be off on
another artistic adventure as soon as my SketchBox arrives.
Thank you SketchBox!

Kyana

July 2016

I am a 22 year-old artist living in Phoenix, Arizona. Art has always
been a passion for me since I was a child, and I've never for minute
second-guessed my dedication to drawing and painting. After the
military I went on to become an animation student, and I feel like
I'm really following my dreams, which has always been important to me!
When I'm not spending time on homework I am sketching
monsters and creatures from my dreams and imagination.
My favorite medium would have to be ink, because it can be
intensely bold and makes colors jump off the page. A close second
is watercolor because it was easy for me to learn and I love how
beautifully the paint can flow onto paper. The one piece of advice
that has stuck with me and always comes back is something my art
teacher told me before I graduated high school and that was
"Be the sponge. Soak up as much knowledge and inspiration as you
can and always be a curious artist." I love that.
Artofcrypticink.com
Instagram @cryptiicink

Angela Fife

June 2016

My ultimate desire in my painting is to express my struggles,
emotions, frustrations and joys through images. I use my
own life as a study and a place to draw from. Meeting or rejecting
expectations of those around me, finding that perfect
balance that alludes me, living a happy and fulfilling life.
These are some of my emotional subjects. I paint the objects
that surround me. My paintings are my thoughts, my insecurities
and my day-to-day routines. Painting is personal to me.
I see paint as a tangible tool to record my reactions to the world.
I am a woman, I am a mother, I am a painter.
One does not exist without the other, they are intertwined,
and they compliment each other.
“Painting is an attempt to come to terms with life.
There are as many solutions as there are human beings.”
–George Tooker

Josie

May 2016

My name is Josie and I'm a young artist and product
design student from the beautiful capital of Germany.
I love drawing since I was able to hold a pen and creating what
comes to mind, rather than following just one art style.
Drawing is kind of a therapy for me to overcome daily
life and connect with other people. Art is what keeps
me motivated - As Pablo Picasso once said:
"The purpose of art is washing the dust of daily life off your soul"
Check out more of her art on her
Instagram: @Josilix or
facebook.com/josilix/

Nikki Laxar

April 2016

Hi! I'm Nikki Laxar. I was born and raised in the beautiful,
eclectic state of Vermont. I've always had a fascination
with the animal world and anything artistic. Most of my
work involves combining the two in a very whimsical way.
I'm a self-taught artist who enjoys learning new ways to
bring my vision to life through every new piece. I primarily enjoy
working with watercolor and ink. I really love the process of
bleeding color onto paper and letting it trail off with just a
little guidance. Layering ink on top of the paint allows me
to really express my vision and stitch more detail into
the overall piece, letting the paint strokes guide my pen.
Aside from my watercolor illustrations, I enjoy working
with my clients to create realistic pet portraits, logo designs
and tattoos. I'm into anything earthy, natural fibers and texture,
thrift stores, repurposed art, kitty snuggles, the moon and many
things that most people find odd and creepy.
Check out more of Nikki’s work at http://www.nikkilaxar.com/
on instagram: @nikki.laxar.art or her etsy page nikkilaxar.etsy.com

Cody Ruse

March 2016

Creating art that catches your eye the second you notice it
and makes you wonder how so many small details being brought
together can make a whole piece of work is what I do. Whether
it's portraits or animals, I love the idea of being able to bring
together so many aspects of drawing that seem simple and
almost basic to produce images. The combination of patterns,
geometric shapes, fine lines and texture is inspired by my
desire to make my work as aesthetically pleasing as I possibly can.
My process is like an alternate universe. The concept of time is
warped as I spend, what feels like the blink of an eye but
is actually, hours upon hours immersed in the details and watching
the lines work together to create a final piece.

Hosio

February 2016

Hi, I'm Hosio and I like to create things. Since primary school I
was always drawing something or use the things I've found
around me to create things. I never knew what my
dream job would be, but I always wanted it to be something
connected with drawing. In my country (Poland) the word
'artist' is a rather pejorative term and associated with
being poor, that's why I didn't want to be one.
I've decided to study architecture instead of fine arts. Boy, was
I wrong. As it turns out, I had it all backwards, so I've dropped
out of my studies and concentrated on self improvement.
Now I'm a freelance artist, and my ambition is to get a job in the
game development industries. You can see my progress on tumblr
or follow me on instagram

Julie Edwards

January 2016

My work is nothing short of a journey into the
otherworldly, where even reason and
common sense do not have to apply. Fairy Tales are a
huge inspiration for me in their relentless wonder
and inviting nature. I think it's important to not take
structure too seriously. Nothing can be more dynamic
and flourishing than art that holds the very pinnacle
of what may be, not just what already is. Experiencing
something with as much free reign as art is like a loophole
in life; it should be enjoyed. I always do custom
illustrations! Visit my pages to learn more:
facebook ,
instagram , and
etsy.

Andrew Rodgers

December 2015

Andrew Rodgers was born and raised in the San
Francisco Bay Area and graduated from the Academy
of Art. He loves to draw, paint, and have as much fun
as he can. He is currently working on illustrations of a
few children’s books and publications. Focusing his
style on shape and line, he loves to draw people and
animals. Check out his work at andrewjrodgers.com
or his Instagram @warchildling.

Brian Henry

November 2015

I've been into art my whole life but it wasn't until I was in a nearly fatal car
accident that left me with an essentially paralyzed left arm that I decided
it's more important to do what makes you happy instead of what just
makes you money. So I left my corporate job and went to selling
my art on the streets of the very vibrant New Orleans.
I paint what is considered "pop art" but I like to think of it as
"subrealism" in that I don't add every detail and I change the colors
up to a simple palette that I think showcases everything from love to rage
in an amplified way. I like contrast... heavy contrast and striking images
that are not always from the beaten path. I draw from what influences me.
I've always been into offbeat movies and cult classics that aren't
so mainstream. Gritty, beautifully shot film can be so inspiring to me and I
like to capture the absolute height of a character in one single still shot.
I like to show people something that they haven't necessarily seen
before, and definitely in a different way. All I use is acrylic paint markers by
Montana. No brushes for me. I like the way a paint marker feels and it
works great for what I want to do. Once in a great while I will use brushes
for backgrounds but even then, I sometimes prefer the markers.
I take pride in making things that give people an emotional reaction, even
if just for a moment, and I am happy as can be to be doing what
I love now.

Curious how he accomplished such an inredibly detailed piece? Read our blog post for pictures and detailed description of how he created this month's piece.

Shannon Lane

October 2015

Shannon comes to us from St. Charles, Missouri. When
we saw her art we knew we had to feature it.
Despite being only 16 her attention to detail and
photographic realness is nothing short of professional
level. Her pieces are typically done with graphite
and occasionally she’ll add color to her work to
accent specific parts of her pieces. To see more of
her art check out her instagram @shannonelizabethart.

Crystina Castiglione

September 2015

Being a visual artist is not something I fell into, it
is something I do every day because I feel
compelled to create. I always have. I feel that
there are few things more important than what
you can craft with your own two hands. I am
heavily inspired by having grown up somewhat
simultaneously in coastal Massachusetts towns as
well as the Gulf and east coast of Florida. My
interest in coastal life and the ocean frequently
appears in my work, as does my love of Italian
heritage, road trips and patterns. My work is a
combination of watercolor and ink illustrations that
sometimes use hand lettering or typography. I try
to delicately craft each painting, recreating the
layers of colors and textures that appear within
the subject matter. Follow @themessypainter on
instagram and twitter to see my evolving collection
of work and artistic adventures or visit
www.themessypainter.com

Armando Renteria

August 2015

Armando Renteria comes to us from
Whittier, California where he creates
incredible painted works typically done
with acrylic or oil. His talents are
diverse and developed at a professional
level, and he often lends his talents to
his community in the form of murals.
When he submitted his portrait work
to us, we knew immediately we
absolutely had to feature his art. If you’d
like to see more of his work or talk to him
about commissioning a piece check out
his website at ArmandoArtist.com and
follow him on instagram @armandoartist.

Adele Flammand

July 2015

Adele Flamand is from New Milford, Connecticut. She used the black and white pastels from the basic box to create this stunningly photorealistic piece. When Adele contacted us to be a featured artist we were blown away with her talent and we're so thankful for the time she spent on this piece for us. To see more of her incredible work head over to her instagram account @uhdele.

Antonio Sanchez

June 2015

This month our featured artist is Antonio Sanchez age 16 from San Jose, California. We came across his art through our last featured Artist Rebecca E.L. Wyke - it's one of her students! He's shown a tremendous achievement in his classes and we wanted to provide some exposure to his art. Rich with symbolism his piece shows true artistic vision. We can't wait to see where his art takes him in the future.

Rebecca E.L. Wyke

May 2015

Rebecca E. L. Wyke is from San Francisco, California. Rebecca is an illustrator, painter and teacher in San Jose. Every day she empowers her students to express themselves. She used the materials in this month's box to create an amazing surreal piece for SketchBox. We're so thankful for the talent that she shared with us. We hope her piece can inspire you to have as much fun as possible with your box.
Check out her art at rebeccaelwyke.com

Morgan Ashley

April 2015

Morgan used materials from our basic box to create a unique piece for SketchBox. Armed with Tombow water color markers, a brush, and some Sakura Micron pens she created this amazingly detailed Day of the Dead skull. We're super thankful she shared her amazing talents with us this month, and hope she can inspire you to create something unique with your box.